PANCHAKARMA

What is Panchakarma?

Panchakarma is Ayurveda’s profound detoxification system. Often referred to as a “rebirth,” the process of panchakarma promotes healing and brings balance on all levels – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

What does the process of Panchakarma involve?

Panchakarma begins with having an initial 90-minute consultation with Dr. Brigid Lunder, Jen LeValley and myself. During this consultation we will determine your Ayurvedic Constitution and any current imbalances you may have. We will also discuss your intention for doing panchakarma, as well as your health goals.

Next, we will go over your detailed plan for panchakarma, which involves three phases. The process begins with eating a cleansing Ayurvedic diet, which is based on your constitution, for approximately 10 days. In addition, during this time, there are daily self-care practices, as well as cleansing practices, that you will do to support your detoxification process. This includes internal oleation (taking ghee), purgation, yoga, pranayama, meditation, self-oil massage and journaling. This first phase is referred to as purvakarma, or the preparation phase.

After purvakarma, is the panchakarma phase, or detoxification phase, where you receive five consecutive days of Ayurvedic treatments, which includes tandem abhyanga, shirodhara, external basti and swedana. It may include other treatments too, based on any imbalances you are experiencing. Here is a sample schedule of a typical panchakarma treatment day:

Shirodhara (continuous stream of warm is oil poured over the third-eye and crown of the head for 30 minutes)

Kitchari lunch, tea, relax

During your treatment days, you will also be doing internal basti (enema) at home. This is new for most people, and please know that you will be guided through this cleansing process completely.

After this phase, is the paschatkarma phase, or the rejuvenation phase, where you slowly transition from eating the cleansing diet, and mindfully begin reintroducing foods that you may have eliminated during the preparation and detoxification phase. Paschatkarma includes integrating supportive Ayurvedic diet and self-care practices into your life, as well as taking rejuvenative herbs.

A follow-up appointment, which is included in the price of your panchakarma package, is scheduled four weeks after you begin your paschatkarma.

GIVE YOURSELF THE GIFT OF PANCHAKARMA

Panchakarma is a beautiful and profound gift to give to yourself – and the benefits continue to unfold for weeks and months after you’ve finished your panchakarma. People choose to do panchakarma for many reasons. Some choose it as a way to annually cleanse, detoxify and maintain health. Others feel that to bring balance into their lives on the physical, mental and emotional level, they need to make significant changes to their diet and lifestyle and choose panchakarma as a meaningful and significant way to begin. Others have given this gift to themselves during major life transitions or milestone birthdays.

WHEN IS THE RIGHT TIME FOR PANCHAKARMA?

Panchakarma is traditionally done during the spring or fall seasons, but it can be done anytime an individual feels she or he is ready. You’ll need space and time for cooking your own meals, for doing the daily self-care practices and for coming in for treatments. It is highly recommended that you take the five treatment days off from work. It is okay to work during the preparation and rejuvenation phases, but you’ll want to keep activities, commitments and stress at a minimum during this time.

Panchakarma is contraindicated for children, for those overcoming illness and for anyone who is currently frail or weak, as well as for pregnant or postpartum women.

We want to support you fully and completely during your panchakarma process. Here is more information about your practitioners, and why we are passionate about and believe so deeply in Ayurveda.

Jodi Boone

I experienced my first panchakarma while living in India in 2012. It was 35 days in length, and one of the most profound experiences of my life. Since 2012, I have done panchakarma annually. In 2015, I began working at Bastyr Natural Health Center as an Ayurvedic Therapist, providing traditional Ayurvedic treatments and also, as part of a team of doctors and practitioners there, helped guide patients through panchakarma. What I learned wholeheartedly is that you do not have to go to India to experience authentic panchakarma. At Bastyr, I worked with many beautiful physicians and doctors, and wanted very much to offer panchakarma out of my own treatment space. I am partnering with Jennifer LeValley and Dr. Brigid, because they are experienced, caring, compassionate and committed practitioners – I trust them completely. I have been giving traditional Ayurvedic body work and treatments since 2008, learning from Ayurvedic doctors and practitioners in India. I was certified as an Ayurvedic Wellness Counselor through the Ayurvedic Natural Health Center in India, and have continued my education with Kerala Academy, where I am working toward my Ayurvedic Practitioner Certification.

JEnnifer LeValley

Jennifer LeValley is a licensed massage therapist and is due to graduate as a Master of Ayurvedic Sciences from the esteemed Bastyr University in September 2019. She is inspired to help others build, maintain, or regain true health, expressed as a balanced body, mind, and spirit. Jennifer believes that this balance shapes and strengthens the awareness we need to become fully and beautifully actualized within ourselves and our communities; she understands that the entire world benefits when individuals are vital, happy, creative, and committed to serving others. Clients can expect a gentle, receptive, intuitive, and fun experience as Jennifer works WITH you to uncover the root cause of dis-ease. She is particularly passionate about digestive health and stress management. In her spare time, Jennifer is a budding plant and herb enthusiast, and has completed an apprenticeship with Cedar Mountain Herbalism School. She relishes hiking and exploring the Pacific Northwest with her loving husband and friends. Her yoga mat and touring bike are common companions; both aiding in expansion and insight as she continues to grow personally and professionally.

Dr Brigid Lunder

Dr. Brigid graduated with her Doctorate of Naturopathic Medicine and Masters of Science in Ayurveda from Bastyr University in Seattle, WA. She underwent additional training in physical modalities such as Bowenwork Therapy and Acutonics sound healing. Dr. Brigid truly enjoys creating individualized treatment plans using a blend of Naturopathic, Ayurvedic, Bowenwork and Acutonics therapies that are unique to the needs of the patients. She has special interests in women’s and children’s health including fertility, preconception care, autoimmune conditions, gastrointestinal conditions, and pain management, but ultimately is interested in you.

Dr. Brigid strives to offer sustainable medicine by empowering her patients through education and utilizing modalities that evoke the body’s innate ability to heal. Her desire to provide sustainable medicine is also seen in her passion for working with the foundations of health and utilizing a “less is more” approach in order to remove physical, emotional or spiritual restrictions to lifelong health.

You will also find her spending time with her four children and husband whether it is helping with homework, getting involved in baking projects with her eldest daughter, finding lego pieces for her youngest son, trying to play football with her eldest son, and playing restaurant with her youngest daughter. Dr. Brigid also enjoys being physically active; which involves riding her bike, running, yoga or putting together her own workout routines at home.

Cost of Panchakarma

The cost of Panchakarma is $2,200, including your initial intake consultation with your team of practitioners, support throughout your preparation phase, all of your nourishing Ayurvedic treatments, guidance throughout your rejuvenation phase and your follow-up consultation.

Payment schedule: $250 is collected for your initial consultation. After your initial consultation, the remaining $1,950 is due. Once paid, there are no refunds. Much time and energy goes into scheduling ourselves to be there for you during your panchakarma. When we commit to being there for you for panchakarma we are scheduling ourselves away from other work and commitments, so this is why a refund is not possible.